Farnan Leads the Way

Tara Madgwick - Monday November 11

It was a fascinating past weekend for our first season sires with important winners for Kia Ora Stud’s Farnan and Yulong’s Lucky Vega (IRE).

Golden Slipper winner Farnan has shot to an early lead on the first season sires table courtesy of his brilliant colt North England, who won the $1million ATC Golden Gift at Rosehill, ahead of Group I winning shuttler Lucky Vega (IRE), the sire of Within the Law, winner of the $500,000 Inglis Banner.

Farnan has been well supported at Kia Ora Stud and stands at a fee of $55,000.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, North England did everything right for Tim Clark and kicked away with a furlong to run before holding off the late challenging Wootton Bassett colt West of Swindon to win by a long neck.

Advertisement

“He’s been very straight forward and a horse that has just put his hand up early,” said jockey Tim Clark after the race. “Obviously he got to the Breeders’ Plate and ran really well. He couldn’t have done much more there apart from win.

“Henry (Field) and the team identified this race and it’s a short turnaround. He had a little bit of time out and then had to come back in, so it’s a really long prep for him, but he’s handled it really well. I think that attribute is very much like his old man, Farnan, who I had a lot to do with.

“He’s very laid-back and he’s just got the best attitude. Henry Field has been a great supporter of mine so it’s good to get a big win for him.”

North England wins the $1million Golden Gift - image Steve Hart

Looking ahead to the autumn, he added, “Obviously the great thing about winning today is he’s in the Slipper so they can pick their mark with him. He can have a good break now and just come back and have one race in mind for him, and he doesn’t have to improve a lot to be right up there with the best of them in six months time.”

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse could not be more pleased with the performance.

“North England is a bombproof two-year-old, he does everything right and he is only going to keep getting better with racing,” she said. “He is on his way to the Golden Slipper now.

“His sire, Farnan, was a Champion 2YO and it means a lot for our stable to produce his first winner!

“Henry wanted to target this race, so Adrian worked out a plan to give the colt a short let up and get him ready. It just goes to show that you can’t beat Breeders’ Plate form – it is sensational year after year.”

Bred by Zhongli Thoroughbreds, North England (ex Our Belisa) was offered by Valiant Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was purchased for $280,000 by the China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy Racing.

Below is a list of the unraced trial horses for Farnan from around Australia.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 19
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Express Yourself Returns to NZ
Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4.
Extraordinary Results on Record Day One at NZB Ready to Run
Day One of NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale witnessed incredible results across the board, including an Australasian record for a two-year-old at auction.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Mystic Park Victory Delights Cox Plate Winning Trainer
The past year has been a tough one for Matamata horseman Gary Hennessy, but he got plenty of satisfaction out of watching Mystic Park take out Saturday’s Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Two on the Trot for Written By Brother
Grahame Begg has had to be patient with the handsome sibling to Group I winner Written By and Group II winner C’Est Magique and Royal Insignia made it two wins on the trot when scoring at Caulfield on Wednesday.